beautie chips

wedding season is hurrrr

2013-05-22T15:35:00.001-07:00

The mod duo - fashion from L.A. and Japan

2012-06-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hello my dear followers! I have recently been putting lots of time into my new collaboration blog with my best friend from Vancouver! Since we have gone separate ways to better out careers; me to Japan and her to L.A. To keep in touch we thought to create a blog that will give you guys a feed of the latest fashion trends from two of the biggest fashion spots in the world!!! On one website!!!! How awesome is that!

So please please come check us out!!!

the mod duo

STUDS X LEOPARD

2012-05-30T04:53:00.000-07:00

I really like this outfit, well I like all my outfits, ha ha but this one in particular. Why? The skirt I'm wearing in this INSTAGRAM is one I got on my 24th birthday from my besties.
....so it's a rather special but older piece in my wardrobe. I wore it a few times but I actually never found a top/shirt that went perfectly with it. This skirt has an intense pattern, so I used to pair it with a plain black top. BUT THIS black top has a tasteful stud collar! AND tho you can`t see it in this pic, a see-thru mesh pleated back, now THIS is Perfect!

I heart studs..... do you?

I love instagram!

2012-05-24T10:36:00.001-07:00

This being my third INSTAGRAM post I had to dedicate a post title as a sign of my gratitude, LEAST I can do; since it lets me create OUTFITS of the DAY pix in such style!
So here's the inspiration, THE SUN, hence the sunnies!

Japan's slowly starting to get warm. Emphasize on the "SLOWLY" I tell ya, ODD weather in Japan. It's like 25 degrees during the day and it drops to like 8 degrees at night!!!! bizarrooo

so here's an outfit to please both sides of the weather temp. spectrum!

Whattya think?? does it work?

2012-05-17T10:30:00.002-07:00

Music - check, coffee - check. arm swag - double check and MY NEW ZARA JJJEEEAAANNS!

CONFESSION, I actually don`t own a pair of flat out classic blue jeans. My eyes don`t seem to go to them. I wouldn`t say I`m like this hardcore punk-rocker but I do like the leather on ripped jeans a la mode. BUT I never actually found a great pair of ripped SKINNY`s. I am very particular and since I don`t consider myself to have the best pair of legs. Aaaannddd being my own worst critic, I get pretty picky so when I found you....*tear* oh Zara, I love you.

so one became two...but here`s an OUTFIT OF THE DAY with my other pair!

OUTFIT of the Dayyyyyyy! yay!

2012-05-10T12:20:00.001-07:00

My recent happenings are not the greatest, I've actually been super sick. I haven't been this sick for this long in....NEVER! health is number one people... BUT I do got the whole sexy sick voice going on......AND had some time to work a bit on my blog. I finally got an iPhone in Japan and man, being iPhone-less for 8 months - I have been deprived of apps galore - especially the photography related ones. MmMMmmm! so here are some of those apps to work!

relax with tea and some lavender nail polish!!

2012-05-09T07:39:00.004-07:00

Waiting for nail polish to dry isn't really my cup of tea.......but it isssss when you are actually sippin' on a delicious cup of tea!!!

I dunno how you guys pass the time but what I like to do is boil up some hot water and have some delicious-rather fragrant cup of tea ready (to slightly cancel out the horrific nail polish fumes) so that once the top coats ON I can pour the hot water and let the tea brewwwwww....then kick back to a couple of flicks and....

before you know it, you get THIS:

we all need some colour in our life!

2012-04-28T07:50:00.005-07:00

I just ADORE these pants, surprisingly they are from 'Guess' and I found them at winners! good ol' winners! The upcoming Japanese fashion trend for the spring/summer season are bright or pastel coloured pants. I always stuck to dark coloured jeans/pants cause it supposedly gives you an illusion of - air quote : slimmer figure - but seriously I think the bright shades does the job too!! Well, at least I think so..LOL so try a pair and lemme know if you think so too!

{These pictures are taken in Canada and not Japan, by my talented and dear friend Ruby Huang.}

Now for the good stuff!

Leather jacket { LINE }
Jewelled studded nude shirt { forever 21 }
Blue jeans { GUESS }
Purse { CELINE : Boston Bag }
Clutch below { YSL }
Shoes { HILUGI }

nautical inspired, NAILS!!

2012-03-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

Here is just a quick post! I just had to share my new nail design! I'm really into the 'nautical' look rite now...actually I've always loved it. The stripes catch my attention ALL the time.... the white on navy blue... always gets me.....I got a new outfit that goes superbly well with these nails! too bad my shirt is at the dry-cleaners or else I woulda posted an outfit to go with these fabulous nails! maybe over the weekend!

cheers

Vending machines to a new level!

2012-02-27T08:51:00.000-08:00

I think the picture speaks for itself. WOW. can't get more efficient then this... this is a PROACTIV solutions vending machine. My jaw literally dropped when I saw this at the local mall. Japanese people love their vending machines! HOLY! I didn't know how to feel about this, I mean if you are a long time Proactiv customer this is super convenient way to replenish your products.....but if you are a curious potential customer, there isn't a specialist to assist you. I don't know if this is good or bad for business but it's definitely cost friendly. I just had to share this....random post!

CHEERS!

Should I?

2012-02-20T07:56:00.000-08:00

Alexander Wang, Diego Bucket Bag. I WANT IT! The bag has all my personality traits, simple as that. The leather is smoooth to the touch but it's tough and that's something I'd like to call myself. It has rocker studs that give the bag a bit of edge'n style and I'm trying to head that direction.
here's the big BUT, is it classic enough for me to invest? Tell me, would you?

an award for me? naw you shouldn't have!!!

2012-02-12T05:46:00.000-08:00

My very first blog award!!!!! I was so stoked when I received this award nomination from my friend Maggie from Confessions of a Romantical! I went to high school with Maggie and though we weren't really close then, I think our love for bloggin brought us together <3. Thanks again Maggie!

This award is for bloggers with under 200 followers.
The rules are:

Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
Copy and Paste the blog award on your blog
Reveal your 5 blog picks
Let them know you chose them by leaving a comment on their blog.

5 of my top blog reads under 200 followers:

the day I have been dreading......FIRST SIGNS OF AGING!

2012-02-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

It took me A LOT, and I repeat A LOT of GUTS to post this picture of my naked EYE!

NO make-up with a monstrous wrinkle to share on the world wide web for everyone to see, hey if that`s not courage, what is?

I have been super bummed about this "fine line"......who are we kidding it's no longer FINE, it's anything BUT FINE and I am on a mission, I don't think I've ever channelled this much energy into just one problem (and I dun care how vain that makes me sound cause damn-it that wrinkle has taken OVER!)

MY MISSION IS TO FIND THE WORLD'S MOST ULTIMATE SUPER-DUPER MIRACULOUS EYE CREAM

so I dun gotta go get botox! aaacckk!

This unfortunate event all started unravelling when I turned 25 last November, YES not too long ago. I gotta admit though I was a beauty adviser for 4 years, I didn't consistently apply eye cream everyday. REGRET can't even start to explain how regretful I feel. So when I got to Japan I bought myself an eye cream that was had great reviews by many Japanese magazines!....but 4 months later (NOW) NO CHANGE!

so to bad mouth this baby, I gotta stamp a giant FAIL!

this is the EPIC FAIL JILLSTUART brightening eye cream

approximately $65 Cdn, what a waste.

NOW for all you readers, tell me what EYE CREAM YOU USE and maybe your suggestion can be my next buy'n try

I AM STARTING AN ONLINE JOURNEY to see IF there is an EYE CREAM that will eliminate (or lessen the appearance of THAT line) I will give regular visual updates on how my "FINE LINE" is doing!

SO PLEASE keep in touch!

Sometimes you just need to see it to believe it!

happy 4 year anniversary my darling BALENCIAGA

2012-02-07T10:13:00.000-08:00

I gotta admit, It wasn't love at first sight, but it didn't take long for me to fall MADLY in love with you.....once you became mine, we were inseparable.
YES I am talking about my BALENCIAGA city bag.
I think my baby turned 4 this year and in honour of how amazing she has treated me I have decided to do a "what's in my purse?" post.
First I'd like to share my history with my dear purse. I've taken it with me around the world, well not really but enough places like L.A., Japan and even Mexico! It is the perfect size for almost any occasion and it has withstood unbearable heat, to blazing coldness and even rainfalls! It hasn't shown one bit of wear-and-tear! This purse is a survivor and it actually still looks pretty new to this day.......navy blue is just as royal as the day I got it. Ladies, I think EVERY girl should have a BALENCIAGA bag......it is durable, fashionable without it being too flashy or pretentious! It can be paired with a casual look or even a dressy one! This bag is why the word investment was made...well that's a bit extreme but still, it should at least be ONE of the reasons!

ANYWAYS! I could go on forever...it's the sales-associate in me........but back to the "what's inside my purse" tag! I think a girl's purse can say a great deal about them, that being said; here is ME<3

starting from the left:

I-Pod NANO - life is one grand sweet song, so start the music!
Prada Wallet - I gotta keep enough lettuce to support my shoe fetish <3
Louie bus pass holder - to get from A to B
Minimouse make-up pouch that has:

shiseido compact powder foundation - amazing coverage without the cakiness~!
YSL touche eclat - need I say more?
MAC liquid last liner - it withstands hot yoga...no joke~!
Dior Addict highshine lipstick - kiss of pink
Urban Decay 24/7 glide-on eyepencil in "stash" (a.k.a olive green) - Urban decay pencil liners are the best hands down! they last forever and come in such a wide range of colors!
eye drops - grr dry contactsss
bath and body works sanitizer - to keep the germies away
2012 new and improved Agenda - ya..my memory is not my strong suit, gotta jot dat sh$*t down!
my small pencil case - to make the above happen.
Jill Stuart Hand Cream - smelling delicious doesn't hurt !

thanks for reading! Now tell me what is in YOUR purse!

sometimes it just takes a long time to get there...

2012-01-31T12:25:00.000-08:00

Remember sex and the city's last episode?

to be exact, season 6 eps. 20 part 2.....it was when Big flew to Paris to tell Carrie that she's 'the one' after all those years? Well I was watching that clip on youtube and it got me thinking......I may actually go through something similar to that...I mean not in Paris with all that perfect timing and staged romance.....but the waiting part.....I have a 'BIG' in my life, he's not a big shot like the character in sex in the city but the relationship he has with Carrie is shockingly similar to what I have with this guy. I've had my flings with other men here and there, but they don't even compare to the depth of love I once felt for this guy.

I just turned 25 and will be turning 26 at the end of the year...shouldn't I be old enough to know how to deal with this love business? The people I grew up with are slowly starting to get married and starting families, I on the other hand am no where near that stage in my life. I can't even get over my ex for gawsh sakes (and sadly it has been 2 years)

I came to Japan to advance my career, to make something of myself, but it's true what they say....if you don't have anyone to share your joys and accomplishments with, it just doesn't feel the same. Being here in Japan, I've experienced so many wonderful things that I want to share with him.......and when I think for a second that he wouldn't care like he used to, my heart aches. how messed up is that?

I hope my solitude in Japan isn't clouding my judgement for how I really feel toward my 'BIG'.

But I can't shake this ounce of hope that if I wait long enough he may show up on my door step......k, maybe not literally, but you see what I'm trying to get at.

one of my secret pleasures is to read blogs (like le love) of hopeless romantics, so here is my hopeless romantic moment.

CHANEL's blue rebel

2012-01-20T09:25:00.000-08:00

My very first CHANEL nail polish! and it`s limited edition!
My dear friend from Tokyo gave me this as a present! A thank you shout out to her
<3
I absolutely love this colour, a unique cross of blue black and navy!This is probably my favourite colour yet!
Here is my retro inspired nails!
Cheers!

Tokyo and Back!

2012-01-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend plus a few days, I hopped onto a train to Tokyo!
I met with my friend who flew in from Vancouver and we had such a wonderful time shopping!

In Japan we don't really have boxing day but we do have a bargain sale period that happens during the month of January.
Boxing day in North America is no longer a big deal; the sale mark downs aren't very impressive.........taking $5 off won't even cover the tax for pete sakes.....

BUT JAPAN on the other hand, KNOWS HOW TO DO A SALE!!!!!!!!

Here is a purchase that I had to share!

JILL STUART flats 70% off

yup, thhaattsss riiittteee!!!!

beautiful hey? the style is pretty basic but the colour and design just make it magical!!!

can't wait to blog an outfit!

Do you button up to the top?

2012-01-10T09:24:00.001-08:00

In Vancouver when I was wearing a blouse I think I left about two buttons undone. It was more flattering that way, and don't worry it was tasteful! K maybe only one unbuttoned for interviews...don't lie, I know you do the same!! lol

But the thing is, Japan doesn't tolerate this "unbuttoned blouse" business; it is considered too revealing or just plain sloppy! Crazy rite? I don't really have a big chest but I feel like I look chest heavy when I button up all the buttons when wearing a blouse! Does anyone else feel the same???
So this dress code was a huge a problem for me.

but I came across this blouse,

I think it's the bow that compensates for the lack of decollete exposure

it's all in the beauty of the pattern!!

RETRO is back biiAttches!!

I love the shorts too!!! but that will have to wait for another post!

Cheers!

what to strut at an Izakaya Tapas Bar....

2012-01-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

As much as we'd like to wear what ever we want, when ever and where ever, sometimes we must consider the weather, occasion and the setting of where we are headed to. I mean if you are going to school, I wouldn't really recommend decking out head to toe with a dress and your favourite pair of louboutin's.

My point being, I think many girls dread going to an event only to find themselves OVER-dressed or UNDER-dressed.

And I'm sure being into fashion and all, you've caught onto what outfit is appropriate for various event genres, but here's something pretty new to the scene: JAPANESE IZAKAYA TAPAS BARS!

Izakaya's have trendy interior decor, require advance reservation and not only are their food innovative and delicious, but they look gourmet!

So here's the question; Izakaya's don't quite cut it to strut a "five star restaurant" kinda outfit, but also isn't casual enough to JUST wear jeans and a t-shirt. so what is the in-between?

well here's mine! what's yours?

put on a hat for some posh

put on the off-the-shoulder sweater-dress for some casu.

meeheee~off I go!

unique clothing? it's UNIQLO

2012-01-03T04:23:00.000-08:00

January is probably the coldest month in Japan....where I live (Numata, Gunma), it has been snowing pretty often and to keep warm I have invested in some HEAT TECH's from UNIQLO!

Heat Tech clothing uses thermal technology that trap body warmth within the fabric so you don't need to wear many layers to keep warm. It is thin, comfortable, anti-static and even controls odor!!!

for those who have always wondered how Japanese girls can wear short shorts in the winter time, it is all because of these fabulous babies!

SO WARM =D

see you next time!!!!!!!!

happy new year everyone!!!

2012-01-02T06:18:00.000-08:00

Wishing everybody a happy new year!
even more so for my followers! haha I joke, I joke!

I hope 2012 will be a great year for everyone!

It was my first "new years" in Japan and honestly it was kinda sad! I did the count down solo and my new years dinner consisted of some chicken karage from 7eleven. haha

but that hasn't discouraged me from what I would like to acheive this year!

I keep on mentioning how I will regularly blog about my life in Japan, but I haven't quite followed through with that. That being said, I would really like to put in my all to bloggin!!

starting with this post! a new years curtsy from me,

with a new outfit and new hair style!

age vs. fashion what's the deal with that?

2011-10-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

Age and fashion, that's something we've seen splattered on every cover of every magazine.
have you ever wondered when it was that we realized we gotta tweak our wardrobe to be age appropriate? What do you think influences that start to change our wardrobes? and so I thought maybe today I'll wear sumthin I wouldn't usually...it just came to mind when I was staring at my wardrobe.....

blouse: topshop / hat: tokyo seibu / pants: honeys / shoes: prada

put on them SOX!

2011-10-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

When I was in Vancouver, I noticed that socks aren't really that important to an outfit.....but over in Japan, they are sooo crucial that there are stores dedicated to selling JUST socks! The socks at these stores are made specifically to compliment your shoes/heels!

Currently, one of my fav. type of socks are knee-highs! It gives an outfit a more casual look even if you wear a mini skirt because the socks covers just enough leg to call it tasteful!

Thought maybe I could start off a trend to the peeps in Vancouver? haha only if I were that famous!

This whole outfit was actually bought at H&M!!! the striped sweater, the pink/white blouse underneath and the suede/cotton mini tube skirt....

but the socks......well they are from JAPAN!!!

cheers!

grease up that face and wash it off!

2011-09-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

OIL CLEANSERS! This is a rather new innovation over in North America, but over in Japan it is everywhere!

these are the ones that I own = (left to right) approx $5, $10, $20 Cdn.

now for those who don't really know what oil cleansers are. It is like an eye make-up remover for the face! except it doesn't leave this greasy film afterwards! (well the good ones)

use a couple of pumps, be pretty generous and massage on your face and eye area very gently, you will feel the make-up coming off without a lot of aggressive rubbing.

then splash water and the oil cleanser will turn into a milk cleanser

after the water goes clear, your skin will feel supple, refreshed and spotless clean (even deep into your pores)

Now where to buy this in Vancouver??? First comes to mind of course is the SHU UEMURA oil cleansers, available at Holt Renfrew! I know other brands like Estee Lauder, Lancome, bobbi brown, Laura Mercier, Nars..... all have oil cleansers........but I've tried all of em and sorry to say but I think they can't top off SHU's oil cleansers, HANDS DOWN!!!!! (I mean it also depends on skin type...but at least shu has a selection to suit most skin types, whereas other brands only have one type of oil cleanser)

If you are a newb to oil cleansers I really recommend going to the Holts SHU UEMURA counter and get an associate to help ya pick out one that is perfect for your skin! good luck and lemme know the results!!!

new place, new job, new look

2011-09-12T08:57:00.000-07:00

I have been M.I.A for a good month now and it's cause I've been busy putting my life back in order!

I started my new job, sorta furnished my new apartment and FINALLY got a feel of Japanese fashion! You guys wouldn't BELIEVE how difficult it is, to go from one countries HAUT fashion to another's! You gotta scope out the scene and find what you feel most comfortable in! After browsing thru many malls, department stores and boutiques I think I gotta an idea of what I'd like to strut down the streets of Japan.....I THINK......lol

FIRST I will start with.....the dots...polka dots that is!

(so sorry the pictures SUCK, my camera is HORRIBLE, I'm trying to save up to get an SLR!!)

polka dot chiffon blouse with a pair of beige ankle-grazers! all Japanese brands of course! Accessories are geek glasses and a multi-colored scarf for a belt!

point: mix up the polka dot with stripes! As long as one pattern is an accessory, it gives the outfit the finishing touch!!!

cheers!!